Sneaky Tricks 'Dollar Stores' Pull That The Owners Don't Want People To Know About
Birthday cards, candy, trinkets to keep the kids busy... dollar stores are full of jaw-dropping bargains. And all for that famous $0.99 price tag. What's not to love? Well, studies show that savvy shoppers may just have a cartful of tricks to look out for. So, make sure you don't fall victim to any of the most common swindles — involving everything from harsh chemicals to spoiled pet food.
40. Canned Toxins
Bisphenol A is an industrial chemical that sometimes makes its way into canned goods. The bad news? Studies have uncovered links between the compound and high blood pressure as well as children's moods and behaviors. The worse news? Checking the ingredients list isn't a sure-fire way to keep safe, either. Perhaps it's best to ditch the cans for now...
39. Toxic Toys
Products at the dollar store are cheap because they're cheaply made — fact. And you should be worried about what that means when it comes to the safety of these playthings. A 2015 study conducted by Ecocenter revealed a 49 percent chance of any dollar store toy containing at least two toxins. What's more, there's an 81 percent chance that the low-cost plastic will have at least one toxin present.
38. Uncertified Electronics
When it comes to picking up a USB charger or any other piece of electrical equipment, be sure to check its label – or lack of one. All electronics should have a UL (Underwriters Laboratories) label to ensure the product meets the global leader's safety standards. And if that's missing, then all bets are off. A bad scenario? You wasted your dollar. The worst-case scenario? An electrical fire and a ruined appliance.
37. Hidden Brands
Oh, and all those dollar boxes of cereal? Make sure you double-check the label there, too. Like, really squint at it. Grabbed your glasses? Great! Because according to TheStreet, brands make extra products that are of a much lower standard. Knock-off merchandise should be on your radar as well. Turns out, that's often packaged with almost identical branding to the top cereals on the market. Still, cheap cereal does rule.
